French fries are an iconic food associated with French cuisine and culture. However, their history and popularity actually extends far beyond just France. While Americans may think of fries as a quick fast food snack, the French treat them as a legitimate side dish that can accompany a wide variety of foods at both casual brasseries and upscale restaurants. So what do the French typically eat with french fries? The answers may surprise you!
Traditional French Foods Paired with Fries
Steak
One of the most classic pairings is french fries with steak. This combination is commonly found at French steak houses and brasseries. The crispy, salty fries provide an ideal complement to richly flavored cuts of beef. Frites sauce, a Belgian sauce similar to mayonnaise with a slight tang, is often served alongside for dipping.
Mussels and Frites
Mussels and fries is another iconic French food pairing. Moules-frites features steaming pots of mussels served with a mountain of crispy fries on the side. The combination of the briny mussels and the starchy fries is beloved in French coastal regions like Normandy and Brittany.
Croque Monsieur
The Croque Monsieur is a hot ham and cheese sandwich that is often accompanied by a side of french fries. This sandwich is a French cafe classic, with the fries providing a nice crunchy contrast to the oozing cheese and ham.
Fisherman’s Platter
In port towns and beachside resorts, you’ll often find frites served with assorted fried seafood like fish fillets, shrimp, calamari, and scallops. This type of dish is sometimes called an assiette de poissons or fisherman’s platter. The fries soak up the fish juices and sauces.
Coq au Vin
This classical French bistro dish features chicken braised in wine, lardons, mushrooms, and garlic. It is usually served with a side of french fries or potato rounds. The rich coq au vin sauce tastes delicious when sopped up with some fries.
Beef Bourguignon
Similar to coq au vin, beef bourguignon is another slow-cooked meat dish that is served with a baguette and french fries. The deep red wine sauce pairs nicely with the starchy fries.
Magret de Canard
Magret de canard is a duck breast dish from the Gascony region of France. The seared duck is served sliced with a sweet fruit sauce. Crispy fries can offset the rich fatty duck meat.
Blanquette de Veau
Blanquette de veau is a creamy veal stew made with onions and mushrooms in a white sauce. It is classically accompanied by rice or french fries. The bland starchy fries work well to temper the rich sauce.
Cassoulet
Cassoulet is a bean stew from southern France that contains duck confit, sausage, and pork. Given how heavy this dish can be, french fries are sometimes served on the side to add some freshness and crunch. The fries can be used to soak up the cassoulet broth as well.
Tartiflette
Tartiflette is a cheesy potato dish from the Alps region made with reblochon cheese, cream, onions, lardons, and potatoes. French fries are often baked right on top of the tartiflette to give it a nice crunchy topping.
Raclette
Raclette is another cheesy dish from the Alps where a half wheel of melted raclette cheese is scraped over boiled potatoes, pickled onions, gherkins, and cured meats. French fries are sometimes substituted for the boiled potatoes as a vehicle for the dripping melted cheese.
Flamiche
Flamiche is a French tart filled with cheese, cream, eggs, and bacon or ham. It hails from French Flanders and is served warm with a fresh salad. French fries are another common accompaniment to add some crunch.
Other French Foods that Work with Fries
In addition to the classic pairings, french fries can complement many other French favorites as well. The saltiness and crunch of the fries balances out the richness of these dishes.
Slow-cooked meats
French pot roast, beef bourguignon, coq au vin, duck confit
Hearty stews
Cassoulet, carbonade flamande, navarin d’agneau (lamb stew)
Cheesy dishes
Tartiflette, croque monsieur, Welsh rarebit, gratin dauphinois
Seafood
Bouillabaisse, moules marinières, escargots with garlic butter, grilled fish
French sandwiches
Croque madame, croque monsieur, pan bagnat, jambon beurre
Charcuterie
Pâté, rillettes, cured sausages, pork terrine
French salads
Frisée aux lardon, lyonnaise salad, salade niçoise
French omelets and egg dishes
Omelette du fromage, omelette aux fines herbes, quiche lorraine
How the French Eat and Serve French Fries
The French have particular customs when it comes to eating frites that may differ from other places. Here are some insights into French fry etiquette:
Fries as a shared side
In France, fries are usually ordered as a shared side for the table rather than individual servings. The fries arrive in the middle in a large communal cone or metal cup. Everyone enjoys them family style.
Alternative cuts and shapes
While Americans may be used to thin, shoestring fries, the French prefer thicker cuts. Common shapes are allumettes (matchstick), pont-neuf (thick-cut rectangle), and pommes pailles (straw-like). Wedges or rounds are also seen.
Frites sauce
While ketchup or ranch are common fry dips in the US, frites sauce reigns supreme in France. The Belgians may have invented it, but the French love this tangy, creamy mayo-based sauce too.
Eat fries with fork and knife
In formal settings, the French will eat french fries with utensils to maintain proper dining etiquette. Dipping them into sauce or eating with your hands is considered bad manners.
Pair with wine or beer
The French don’t typically eat fries on their own as a snack; they accompany them with wine, beer, cider, or other beverages during meals. Light reds, rosés, wheats, and lagers pair nicely.
How French Fries are Prepared and Seasoned
The French take the preparation and seasoning of fries seriously as well. Here are some signature elements:
Double frying
Fries are fried twice in France. The first fry is at a lower temp to cook the interior. The second fry at a higher temp makes them perfectly crispy.
Frying oils
Traditional French fries are fried in beef tallow or a mix of peanut and rapeseed oil. This imparts more flavor than vegetable oil. Duck fat is sometimes used too.
Leaner potato varieties
Bintje and Kennebec potatoes are common French fry potatoes. They have a lower starch content than russets, yielding a crisper fry.
Minimal seasoning
The French prefer the natural potato flavor to come through so just a light dusting of salt is typical. Some places may use a dried herb blend.
Frites sauce for dipping
While the fries themselves are simply seasoned, the French love dunking them in rich, flavorful frites sauces for moisture and tang.
French Fry Pairings from Around the World
The tradition of eating french fries with meals has spread globally. Here are some examples of how fries are served up in other cuisines:
Poutine (Canada)
This Quebecois dish tops fries with cheese curds and gravy. Many variations now exist.
Carne asada fries (United States)
A California creation with fries, grilled carne asada, guacamole, salsa, and cheese.
Pommes roti (Germany)
“Roti” refers to a curry powder seasoning on the fries. Popular street food.
Masala fries (India)
Fries with spicy masala seasoning, tomatoes, red onion, chaat masala, and chutneys.
Patatje oorlog (Netherlands)
“War fries” with Indonesian peanut sauce, mayo, and onion.
Patatnik (Russia)
Russian version involves fries with dill, ground beef, and other fillings baked as a pie.
Gado gado (Indonesia)
This vegetable dish is served over a bed of french fries rather than rice.
Non-Traditional Foods Paired with French Fries
While the French may turn their noses up at some of these combinations, many cultures around the world have come up with unique fry pairings.
| Dish | Description |
|---|---|
| Chili cheese fries | American – fries with chili con carne and melted cheese |
| Fries and chocolate frostys | American – dipping fries in Wendy’s chocolate milkshakes |
| Fry sauce | American West – mixture of ketchup and mayo for fries |
| Cheesy chips | British – fries covered in cheese sauce |
| Chips and curry sauce | New Zealand – fries dipped in spicy curry sauce |
| Chiko Rolls | Australian – ground beef in pastry served with fries |
| Kimchi fries | Korean-American – fries with kimchi |
| Tornado fries | Korean – tornado shaped fried potatoes on a stick |
| Fries sushi roll | Japanese – sushi roll with fries inside |
Most Popular French Fry Dips
People love to dip their fries into sauces and condiments to add more flavor. Here are some of the most popular French fry dips around the world:
| Dip | Region |
|---|---|
| Ketchup | United States, Canada |
| Mayonnaise | Belgium, Netherlands |
| Fry sauce | United States (Rocky Mountain region) |
| Malt vinegar | United Kingdom |
| Tartar sauce | Canada |
| Aioli | Spain, France |
| Salsa | Mexico, Southwestern United States |
| Curry sauce | Germany, Netherlands |
| Cheese sauce | United States, United Kingdom |
| Gravy | Canada, United Kingdom |
Reasons Why French Fries are so Popular
There are several factors that contribute to the global popularity of french fries:
Crispy and soft textures
People love the combination of a crispy outside and fluffy interior. The potato offers the perfect starch to achieve this texture.
Savory, salty flavor
The potato’s mild flavor takes well to salt and savory seasonings. The salty crunch is satisfying.
Versatile
French fries pair well with so many foods from burgers to omelets to steak. They work as a snack or part of a meal.
Comfort food appeal
As a starchy, fried food, fries have an indulgent, comforting quality that appeals to consumers’ cravings.
Easy to share
Served in bite-sized pieces, french fries are simple to share with others as a communal snack.
Kid-friendly
As a simplest form of a potato, fries appeal to children and picky eaters.
Makes other food taste better
There’s evidence that salty, starchy sides can enhance the flavor of entrees through food synergy effects.
Adaptable cultural food
French fries are able to cross cultures and fuse with local flavors as seen by the variety of global fry pairings. Their simplicity allows for creativity.
Healthier Alternatives to Fried French Fries
Although delicious, traditional fried French fries can be unhealthy due to high levels of fat, calories, and sodium. Here are some healthier fry cooking methods and potato options:
Baked sweet potato fries
Cut sweet potatoes into fry shapes, toss in olive oil, and bake. Has more nutrients than white potatoes.
Baked oven fries
Russet or yellow potatoes cut into fries and baked with a mist of oil. Reduces fat.
Air fried fries
Air fryers use circulation of hot air to make crispy fries using little to no oil.
Cauliflower fries
Fry-shaped cauliflower florets baked with oil and spices. Offers vegetables.
Zucchini fries
Sliced zucchini coated in breadcrumbs or panko then baked. Provides extra nutrients.
Sweet potato and parsnip fries
Mix of sweet and white potatoes for new flavors and increased fiber.
Chicken or eggplant fries
Lean proteins breaded and baked into fry shape. Lower carb option.
Conclusion
While we may think of fries as an all-American food, the French have truly mastered the art of the frite. Fries have evolved from street food to quintessential side dish in France, pairing beautifully with classical cooked meats and sauces. Particular preparation methods like frying in duck fat as well as customs around dipping sauces point to an overall French reverence for the humble fried potato. Yet around the world, people have also embraced fries and made them their own by topping them with local ingredients like gravy and curry sauce or mixing them into hybrid dishes like poutine. This adaptability is largely why french fries have become a globally loved food item.